David L. Desha

David L. Desha, 88 of Abilene, passed away Monday March 7th, 2011 at his residence. A Memorial Service is scheduled for 10:00 am Saturday March 12, 2011 at the Hillcrest Church of Christ Chapel. A visitation with the family will be held Friday from 6:30-7:30 pm at the Christian Village.


David was born on December 5, 1922 to George K. Desha and Carrie Callahan Desha in Abilene, Texas. In 1935 at the age of 13, David answered the call from God and was baptized into Christ. It was around this time that the Desha family moved to Emory, Texas where David met his future wife, Melba Usry.

While attending ACC David was asked to become the preaching minister at a church in Newburg, OR so he left school to answer the call. After living in Oregon for a year, David asked Melba to come and join him as his wife and partner. David and Melba were married on April 14, 1943 in Salem, Oregon. David ultimately finished his education at ACC in 1950 graduating with a degree in History and a minor in Bible and Greek.

The years following, David felt God calling him to begin working in “mission” areas with smaller, struggling churches. After working in many different states David and Melba returned to Texas, living for a time in Dallas then eventually moving back to Abilene to retire. David and Melba lived happily at Christian Village in Abilene, and have been faithful members of the Hillcrest Church teaching classes and working devotedly in World Bible School.
Surviving David are his wife, Melba Usry Desha, Sister-in-law, Letha Mayes, daughters; Carol Desha Rudolph & husband, Charles, Sharon Desha Henegar & husband, Richard and Davida Desha Bland and husband, Lee. In addition David is survived by ten grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many other extended family members and friends. Preceding David in death are his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Donations may be made in honor of Mr. Desha to World Bible School, PO Box 2169, Cedar Park, Texas 78630 or Christian Village, 633 E.N. 19th, Abilene, Texas 79601. Condolences can be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.